The ten groups were quickly assigned. Looking at the Jade Tokens in their hands, some of the younger generation could only force a bitter smile.

"I can’t believe I drew Group One."

"I got Group Ten."

Group One and Group Ten. One had Jian Xinghe, the other had Ning Jiang—the two monsters who had entered the Nine-Miles Region.

These two were called the "groups of death."

The other four groups, containing the Twin Sword Sons, Li Kuangba, Yuwen Chi, and Liu Bingxue, were also packed with experts.

"Groups Six, Seven, and Eight have the three newly promoted young giants. Group Nine is the easiest—it doesn’t have a single young giant."

Everyone quickly sized up the situation with the ten groups.

In terms of luck, Group Nine was naturally the luckiest.

"Alright, the drawing is over. The elimination round begins now."

Ge Changming announced. After everyone had walked onto their respective platforms, the referees above explained the rules.

The rules of the elimination round were simple: fight for the Jade Tokens held by others until ten spots were filled.

To put it simply, it was a massive free-for-all. Those without sufficient strength would naturally be eliminated.

To ensure fairness, teaming up to attack others was forbidden. If anyone dared to interfere or launch a sneak attack while two people were fighting, they would be immediately disqualified.

It sounded simple, but once it truly began, it was bound to be incredibly brutal and intense.

Each platform held over a hundred people. With more than one hundred contestants fighting for just ten spots, it was sure to be an exceptionally grueling journey.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves. The elimination round will officially begin in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

Upon hearing Ge Changming’s voice, the many members of the younger generation began to adjust their condition. At a time like this, one needed not only strength but also a tough mental fortitude.

Otherwise, with poor mental fortitude, their momentum would falter in a fight, and they could lose their chance to qualify.

This was a situation no one wished to see.

The time it took for the incense stick to burn passed quickly.

"Begin."

The moment the word was spoken, the well-prepared members of the younger generation instantly made their moves. They had already chosen their opponents and begun to fight.

The platforms were massive, stretching across the thousand-zhang-wide Celestial Sword Grand Canyon. Even with over a hundred people fighting on them, they didn’t feel crowded.

"ARGH!"

In less than a few breaths’ time, someone was already eliminated, knocked right off the platform.

"Out," the referee announced the result mercilessly.

As time passed, the number of people on the platforms dwindled.

The various young giants watched on coldly, showing no intention of acting. There was no need for them to participate in the initial battles; they could just make their move when the numbers had thinned out.

Group Nine, however, was a scene of intense struggle, as there was no young giant presiding over it.

"Group Nine is quite the spectacle. Even without a young giant, there are several Half-Step Giants gathered there."

"Heh heh, although there are ten qualifying spots, there can only be one person ranked first on each platform. As long as you take first place on the platform, you’ll advance directly to the top-ten battle."

From the ten platforms, a total of one hundred people would advance.

These one hundred people would be the top one hundred contestants of the Qing Province Assembly.

In addition, the first-place winner from each group would be a top-ten contestant.

The top ten—that was the real reason the contestants in Group Nine were fighting so fiercely.

Ning Jiang was also paying attention to Group Nine, as Zi Yunfei happened to be assigned to it.

’With Zi Yunfei’s strength, securing a qualifying spot shouldn’t be a problem.’

Ning Jiang glanced over at Groups Seven and Three. Tang Lin and Xiang Yinghao were in those two groups respectively, and both were proceeding steadily without any issues.

"Take this!"

A tremendous shout erupted from the Group Six platform, startling everyone.

A man was seen thrusting out his right hand. A surge of Spiritual Qi shot to the sky, transforming into a massive tiger’s claw. The moment the claw appeared, it exuded the desolate aura of a primordial beast, as if a vicious tiger had been born to devour the Human World.

Under this one attack, several figures were sent flying back, vomiting blood. They were no match at all.

"That newly promoted young giant finally couldn’t hold back, huh."

"Heh heh, compared to the established young giants, the three of them lack experience and their fame isn’t nearly as great. This platform battle is the perfect opportunity for them to display their strength and make a name for themselves."

After Group Six, the young giants in Group Seven and Group Eight also began to make their moves, fighting for Jade Tokens.

A young giant was a young giant. Once they acted, no one could stand in their way.

"It’s about time. I should make my move."

Yuwen Chi took a step forward, and waves of Flame billowed around him.

"It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to stretch my legs. I hope I can at least have a little fun." Li Kuangba cracked his neck, and his bones and sinews POPPED and CRACKLED like thunder.

The young giants on the various platforms finally began to act.

Ning Jiang was no exception. His gaze fell indifferently upon the others in Group Ten. "Are you going to give me your Jade Tokens, or do I have to take them myself?"

"If you want us to hand them over, it’ll take more than just your words. Ning Jiang, allow me to test your strength."

A man strode forward, his aura surging.

He tapped his foot on the ground, and his figure flickered, becoming unpredictable. The long spear in his hand was like a viper striking from its den, its tip glinting with a chilling light.

Ning Jiang stood his ground, unmoving. He simply waved his sleeve, and the air itself seemed to be compressed into an iron discus by the force of the blow.

BAM.

The man had come quickly, but he was sent flying back even faster, spitting blood.

"HISS... He’s truly worthy of being someone who entered the Ninth-Mile of the canyon. That last strike... how much of his power did he use? Fifty percent? Or even less?" The others gasped in shock.

The man who had just attacked was a first-tier expert, yet he couldn’t even withstand a casual wave of Ning Jiang’s sleeve. Wasn’t the gap in their power a little too wide?

"Ning Jiang, I know I’m not your opponent, but I don’t want to miss the chance to cross blades with you. I hope you’ll be merciful." Another person stepped forward, bowing humbly toward Ning Jiang with clasped hands.

This was a clever move. It wouldn’t offend Ning Jiang, and it might even make him hold back a little.

Besides, he was telling the truth. The opportunity to fight Ning Jiang was precious. Even in defeat, there was no shame.

"Come," Ning Jiang nodded.

THUD.

Three breaths later, the man was sent back by a wave of Ning Jiang’s hand. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. "It’s no use. The gap is just too wide."

Afterward, no matter who came up, Ning Jiang dispatched them with a single wave of his sleeve.

A similarly one-sided situation was unfolding in Group One.

Jian Xinghe stood there, perfectly still. Merely forming a sword with his fingers and pointing casually was enough to defeat an opponent.

The other major young giants were also, for the most part, crushing their opponents.

’That’s about enough.’

After collecting over sixty Jade Tokens, Ning Jiang stopped.

It wasn’t that he had defeated over sixty people. It was simply that some contestants had already defeated numerous opponents and amassed a large number of Jade Tokens, only to then lose them all to Ning Jiang.

Thus, by defeating fewer than ten people, Ning Jiang had accumulated over sixty Jade Tokens.

This number of Jade Tokens was more than enough for him to advance in first place.

About half an hour later, the elimination round finally concluded. On each of the ten platforms, ten figures remained.

"The ten people whose names I call, step forward. Jian Xinghe, Ning Jiang, the Twin Sword Sons, Li Kuangba..." Ge Changming read out the names one by one.